{"id":443,"date":"2026-05-20T23:04:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=443"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:04:35","slug":"is-this-a-trend-two-of-charlottes-most-elegant-restaurants-get-more-interactive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=443","title":{"rendered":"Is this a trend? Two of Charlotte\u2019s most elegant restaurants get more interactive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two Charlotte restaurants are making shifts to open up their tasting menus with more flexibility, offering diners new \u00e0 la carte options to further personalize meals otherwise left completely up to the chefs.<\/p>\n

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Sora<\/a> announced Tuesday, May 19, that it\u2019s opening up its French-Asian tasting menu with limited seating, and L\u2019Ostrica<\/a> followed with an announcement about its changes at the seasonally focused restaurant on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Just last fall, we were looking at a shift from \u00e0 la carte dining to tasting menus<\/a> in Charlotte as the Michelin Guide American South<\/a> was created and inspectors rating restaurants on consistency roamed the area.<\/p>\n

Now, things are turning back around in Charlotte, a city where diners always seem to be looking for what\u2019s fresh and new. Slate also recently examined the \u201cindulgence\u201d of the format<\/a>, noting that it\u2019s meant to showcase a chef\u2019s creativity and not always enjoyed by a wide audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new menu structure seemed like a natural next step for us as a team,\u201d L\u2019Ostrica co-owner Cat Carter told CharlotteFive via email.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, it came down to being able to offer greater choice and flexibility to our guests to further enhance their dining experiences with us, from a regular Wednesday night to a special occasion on the weekend \u2014 and anything in between.\u201d<\/p>\n

At L\u2019Ostrica in Madison Park, there have always been multiple options for guests to try the restaurant outside of its tasting menu, offering lunch service, casual bites at the bar, brunches and pop-up style Sunday Suppers with rotating themes.<\/p>\n

Starting June 3, L\u2019Ostrica will now offer a six-course Tasting Menu on Wednesday and Thursday, with two to three options offered among the courses. Carter and co-owner chef Eric Ferguson will curate the rest of the meal based on seasonal inspiration.<\/p>\n

An expanded \u00e0 la carte menu will also be available at the bar in the dining room, and tasting menu guests can add on dishes from it, as well. Look for a lineup of starters that include oysters and meatballs, plus pastas and entr\u00e9es featuring halibut, sugar smoked duck breast and prime rib -ye deckle.<\/p>\n

On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant will stick to its tasting menu only in the dining room, although the add-on \u00e0 la carte options will still be available. Wine and spirit-free pairings remain available, as is the popular caviar service.<\/p>\n

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Reservations for both dining options will require a deposit \u2014 another trend seen among Charlotte\u2019s top restaurants.<\/p>\n

With the changes, Carter and Ferguson say they are looking to give their diners greater flexibility and an avenue for \u201chaving more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the restaurant\u2019s wine director and the lead person shepherding guests\u2019 experiences, she told CharlotteFive: \u201cWhile I think changing trends aren\u2019t just limited to just tasting menu concepts, our goal at L\u2019Ostrica has always been to remain \u2018always seasonal, always evolving.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cRecent travel, conversations with colleagues and our guests, and our own research came together to inspire this pivot,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

In Myers Park, Sora announced via Instagram<\/a>: \u201c\u00c0 la Carte experience is officially open for booking on Tock for all guests at this time. The standard is high, the creativity is there, we can\u2019t wait to share the Sora experience with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Restaurateur Birdie Yang\u2019s intimate dining room now offers three options for guests: an eight-to-10 course signature seasonal tasting menu, a short season tasting menu with four to five courses and the \u00e0 la carte tasting experience.<\/p>\n

The new \u00e0 la carte option is described as \u201ca vibrant blend of French elegance and Asian flair,\u201d with tapas, entr\u00e9es, curated wine and cheese boards, and inventive desserts.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach dish highlights seasonal ingredients, bold flavors, and Chef Dorji\u2019s signature balance of creativity and finesse \u2014 an intimate, modern tasting experience designed to surprise and delight,\u201d the website says.<\/p>\n

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Location: 4701 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209<\/a><\/p>\n

Cuisine: Tasting menu, lunch, Sunday suppers<\/p>\n

Instagram: @lostrica_clt<\/a><\/p>\n

Location: 2907 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209<\/a><\/p>\n

Cuisine: French-Asian fusion tasting menu<\/p>\n

Instagram: @thesoranc<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two Charlotte restaurants \u2014 L\u2019Ostrica and Sora \u2014 pivot to more flexible tasting menus with add\u2011ons, seasonal dishes and reservation deposits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nIs this a trend? 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